FISK  FREE  ARD  PUBliIG 


lilBHARY 

OF  HEW  OHliEflHS. 


Organized  April  16,  1896. 


The  John  C rerar  Li brmy 


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FISK  FREE"A^J0:,FIIBI!:G 

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LIBRARY 

OF  NEW  ORLEANS. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 
BY-LAWS. 


NEW  ORLEANS : 

L.  GRAHAM  & SON,  LTD.,  PRINTERS. 
1897. 


OF  DIRECTORS. 

•»  I •/•••••  •• 

. :K]&*ANK  :r:  HOW^^IU),  President. 

, . EliNlgSa'.  B.  JCRUTTSCHNITT,  V.  Pres. 

ELYNN,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

: ; ; • •eeLctng. 

FRED.  G.  ERNST. 

ALBERT  BALDWIN,  Jr. 

SIDNEY  H.  MARCH. 

HON.  WALTER  C.  FLOWER,  Ex  Officio. 
JOHN  FITZPATRICK. 


FINANCE. 

A.  Baldwin,  Jr.,  Chairman. 

Sidney  H.  March.  John  Fitzpatrick. 

ADMINISTRATION. 

P.  A.  Lelong,  Chairman. 

Fred.  G.  Ernst.  Sidney  H.  March. 

BOOKS  AND  PERIODICALS. 

E.  B.  Kruttschnitt,  Chairman 
A.  Baldwin,  Jr.  P.  A.  Lelong. 

BY-LAWS  AND  RULES. 

Sidney  H.  March,  Chairman. 

E.  B.  Kruttschnitt.  John  Fitzpatrick. 

CIRCULATING  STATIONS. 

Fred.  G.  Ernst,  Chairman. 

A.  Baldwin,  Jr.  John  Fitzpatrick. 


Wm.  Beer,  Librarian. 


oa7  , 

A/ 


( 


CITY  LiBKAKY. 

In  a catalog’ue  of  the  Public  School  Library 
of  Municipality  Xo.  2,  published  in  1848,  it 
is  stated  that  the  library  owes  its  origin  to 
the  enlightened  spirit  of  the  council  of  Muni- 
cipality Xo.  2 of  the  city  of  Xew  Orleans, 
and  is  founded  on  an  ordinance  submitted 
to  that  body  by  Sami.  J.  Peters,  Esq.,  and 
adopted  on  the  3d  of  December,  1844.  On 
December  19  Mr.  Peters  handed  over  to 
the  library,  from  an  individual  unknown, 
the  sum  of  $1000;  by  February  1,  1845, 
Mr.  Shaw  had  collected  from  the  schools 
$391.75.  The  monthly  collection  through  him 
amounted  to  about  $100,  for  some  years.  On 
February  15, 1845,  $500  was  presented  by  James 
Robb,  Esq.  Fines  formed  a large  portion  of 
the  revenue.  From  the  15th  of  April  to  the 
31st  of  December,  1845,  these  amounted  to 
$2890.30. 

The  first  regular  librarian  was  Mr.  Samuel 
McConnell.  The  names  of  many  persons  now 
prominent  in  the  city  are  registered  on  the 
books  as  members.  The  number  of  members 
to  May  the  9th,  1853,  was  530,  made  up  of: 

Life  members 504 

Honorary  life  members 3 

Annual  subscribers 23 

The  directors  of  public  schools  adopted  fur- 
ther measures  to  establish  the  library  on  the 
10th  of  March,  1840.  The  collection  consisted 


wmld 


at  that  time  of  3400  volumes.  It  occupied  the 
lower  front  room  in  the  building,  now  occupied 
by  Soule's  Commercial  College,  corner  of  St. 
Charles  and  Lafayette  streets,  at  that  time 
used  as  the  City  Hall. 

In  1848  the  library  numbered  7516  volumes, 
of  which  248  had  been  presented. 

Oh  the  completion  of  the  City  Hall  in  1849 
the  Library  was  transferred  to  the  spacious 
room  on  the  first  floor  which  it  occupied  unin- 
terruptedly until  it  was  removed  in  1897. 

In  1859  it  was  resolyed  to  consolidate  with 
the  library  already  existing  those  of  the  First, 
Third  and  Fourth  Districts.  To  that  end  was 
passed  Ordinance  jN^o.  4439,  which  was  ap- 
proved on  March  18.  1859. 

The  official  title  of  Lyceum  and  Library 
Society  was  given  to  the  united  libraries,  and 
it  was  placed  under  the  sole  direction  and 
control  of  five  directors,  to  be  named  by  the 
Mayor  and  approved  by  the  alderman. 

In  January,  1873,  the  City  Library  and 
Lyceum  Hall  were  placed  under  the  control 
and  supervision  of  the  Mayor,  with  sole 
authority  to  provide  rules  for  same. 

Mrs.  Culbertson,  the  last  Librarian,  occu- 
pied that  position  from  1873  to  1897. 


_ 4 _ 


WILL  OF  ARIJAH  FISK. 


State  of  Louisiana,  “I 
City  of  JSTew  Orleans.  / 

Be  it  known  and  remembered,  That  I,  Abi- 
jah  Fisk,  of  said  city  and  State,  being  of 
sound  and  disposing  mind  and  memory, 
and  in  good  state  of  health;  but  mindful 
of  the  certainty  of  death,  and  of  the 
uncertainty  of  the  time  thereof,  do  make 
this  my  last  '‘Will”  and  testament,  in  the 
manner  as  follows,  viz. ; I give  to  the  Hon. 
Charles  Watts  $5000,  or,  in  other  words,  I 
give  and  bequeath  the  sum  of  $5000  to  the 
Hon.  Charles  Watts,  of  the  city  of  ]Kew  Or- 
leans, at  present  judge  of  the  Commercial 
Court,  of  ]Kew  Orleans.  I give,  devise  and 
bequeath  the  sum  of  $5000  to  Joseph  H.  Lyon, 
at  present  one  of  my  clerks,  as  a gratuity  for 
his  faithful  services.  I give,  devise  and  be- 
queath to  the  city  of  Xew  Orleans  my  house  at 
the  corner  of  Customhouse  and  Bourbon 
streets,  on  condition  that  it  shall  be  applied  to 
the  keeping  of  a library  forthe^use  and  benefit 
of  the  citizens  of  said  city,  and  to  be  used  for  no 
other  purpose.  The  balance  of  my  estate  I 
give,  bequeath  and  devise  to  the  children  of 
my  brother,  Alvarez  Fisk,  viz. : '‘Stewart  Wil- 
kins,”-‘Alice,”  “Edward”  and  “Isabel,”  to 
be  shared  equally.  Those  who  are  twenty -one 
years  old  to  come  into  possession  immediately. 
Those  wlio  are  under  that  age  shall  have  their 


portion  securely  placed  at  interest  or  invested 
in  stores,  producing  an  income,  favorably 
located  in  this  city,  by  iny  executors,  until 
they  are  twenty-one  years  old,  when  posses- 
sion may  be  given  them. 

I nominate  and  appoint  ‘‘  Stewart  Wilkins 
Fisk  and  Hon.  Charles  Watts  as  executors  to 
this  my  last  will  and  testament,  jointly  and 
severally,  giving  them  seizin  and  detainer  of 
my  estate,  and  appointing  them  until  my 
estate  is  fully  liquidated  and  settled.. 

In  testimony  whereof  I have  hereunto  sub- 
scribed my  name  to  this  my  olographic  testa- 
ment, this  twenty-seventh  day  of  IS'ovember, 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-three, 
in  the  city  of  New  Orleans. 

(Signed)  Aki.tah  Fisk. 

I recommend  my  executors  to  employ 
Joseph  H.  Lyon,  as  clerk  in  settling  up  my 
estate,  who  is  well  acquainted  with  the  loca- 
tion of  all  my  property,  and  with  debtors.  I 
estimate  my  estate  at  $300,000  at  least,  and 
should  recommend  the  division  of  my  real 
estate  among  the  four  children  of  my  brother 
Alvarez,  which  I have  named  in  my  will,  in 
preference  to  selling — the  money  could  not  be 
better  invested  if  the  real  estate  be  sold. 

(Signed)  Abijah  Fisk. 

I certify  this  to  be  a true  copy  of  the  copy 
of  the  will  handed  me  by  Alvarez  Fisk,  Esq. 

New  Orleans,  May  24,  1853. 

(Signed)  Wm.  Monaghan, 

Notary  Public. 


— 6 — 


State  of  Louisiana,  l 
City  of  yew  Orleans.  | 

I hereby  certify  the  above  and  forego- 
ing to  be  a true  and  correct  copy  of  the  orig- 
inal act  and  of  the  original  exhibit  thereto 
annexed,  both  on  tile  and  of  record  in  my 
office. 

In  faith  whereof  I hereunto  set  my  hand  and 
affix  my  seal  of  office,  on  this  29th  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, A.  D.  1884. 

M.  VOORHIES. 


— 7 — 


MESSAGES  AND  OEDINANCES  KELAT- 
ING  TO  THE  FISK  FEEE  AND 
PUBLIC  LIBKAKY. 

January  9,  1895. 

Official  Proceedings.  Mayor's  Message. 

I recommend  that  the  building  formerly  oc- 
cupied by  the  Criminal  District  Court  he  de- 
voted to  the  use  of  a public  library  wherein 
both  the  library  at  the  City  Hall  and  the  Fisk 
Library,  now  in  charge  of  the  Administrators 
of  the  Tulane  Educational  Fund,  and  which, 
owing  to  their  removal  to  new  quarters,  will 
have  to  be  changed  from  its  present  location, 
could  be  concentrated  and  our  citizens  be  given 
the  benefit  of  a great  free  library,  a long  felt 
public  w^ant. 

I submit  that  the  necessary  alterations  to 
the  building  can  be  made  with  but  slight  ex- 
penditures, and  I would  ask  your  serious  con- 
sideration of  the  subject.  Kespectfully, 

John  Fitzpatrick,  Mayor. 


February  2,  1895. 
Ordinance  No.  10^254.^  C.  S. 

An  Ordinance  dedicating  for  the  use  as  a 
Public  Library  the  building  formerly 
occupied  by  the  Criminal  District  Court. 

Whereas,  a great  library  thoroughly 
equipped  and  centrally  located  would  be  an  at- 
traction to  our  citizens,  as  well  as  to  visitors, 


— 8 - 


and  would  redound  to  the  intellectual  culture 
and  welfare  of  the  public,  and 

Whereas,  the  building  forming  the  corner 
of  Lafayette  and  Camp  streets,  and  lately  occu- 
pied by  the  Criminal  District  Court,  is  now 
vacant,  and  is  well  adapted  to  this  purpose ; 
therefore  be  it 

Besolved  by  the  Council  of  the  City  of  Neio  Or- 
leans, That  said  building  be  and  is  hereby  dedi- 
cated for  the  use  and  purpose  of  a Public 
Library. 

Be  it  further  ordained.  That  the  City  En- 
gineer be  and  is  hereby  directed  to  prepare 
plans  and  specifications  for  the  alteration  of 
the  interior  of  said  building  to  meet  the  re-  ^ 
quirements  and  wants  of  such  purpose. 

Adopted  by  the  Council  of  the  city  of  ISTew 
Orleans,  January  29,  1895. 

Dan  a.  Rose, 

Clerk  of  Council. 

Approved  February  2,  1895. 

John  Fitzpatrick, 

Mayor. 

A true  qopy : 

Clark  Steen, 

Secretary  to  the  Mayor. 


Mayoralty  of  ^^'ew  Orleans,  \ 
City  Hall,  April  15,  1896.  j 

No.  12.217,  Council  Series. 

An  Ordinance  establishing  a Public  Library 
in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  and  provid- 
ing for  the  management  of  same. 

Be  it  Besolved.!  That  the  Fisk  Free  Library, 
now  located  in  the  Tulane  University,  and 


— 9 — 


under  the  management  of  the  Board  of  Ad- 
ministrators of  the  Tulane  Fund,  and  the  library 
now  located  in  the  City  Hall  be  dedicated 
under  Ordinance  I^o.  10,254,  C.  S.,  for  a Public 
Library  and  situated  at  the  corner  of  Camp 
and  Lafayette  streets,  and  that  said  consoli- 
dated library  shall  be  known  as  the  Fisk  Free 
and  Public  Library  of  the  city  of  IS'ew  Orleans. 

Sec.  2.  Be  it  further  ordained^  That  the  man- 
agement of  said  Fisk  Free  and  Public  Library 
shall  be  in  charge  of  a Board  of  Directors  who 
shall  be  appointed  by  the  Mayor  and  to  be 
styled  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Fisk  Free 
and  Public  Library  of  the  city  of  Xew  Orleans. 

» The  said  board  shall  be  composed  of  seven  di- 
rectors, together  with  the  Mayor  of  the  city  of 
IN’ew  Orleans,  who  shall  be  ex-officio  chairman 
of  said  Board  of  Directors. 

Sec.  3.  Be  it  further  ordained^  That  the 
Mayors  of  the  city  of  ]^ew  Orleans  upon  the 
expiration  of  their  term  of  office  shall  not 
vacate  the  office  of  director  of  said  Fisk  Free 
and  Public  Library,  but  shall  continue  life 
directors  of  same,  and  in  this  manner  and  in  no 
other  shall  said  Board  of  Directors  be  in- 
creased. 

Sec.  4.  The  said  Board  of  Directors  shall 
have  authority  to  fill  vacancies  arising  in  sa  d 
board  from  death,  resignation  or  otherwise,  and 
shall  adopt  all  rules  for  the  government  of  said 
library,  subject,  however,  to  the  approval  of 
the  Mayor. 

Sec.  5.  The  said  board  shall  elect  a President 
and  Secretary,  and  shall  meet  at  least  once  a 
month  and  adopt  such  measures  as  in  their 


— 10  — 


judgment  shall  best  promote  the  growth  of  the 
library  and  make  it  an  instrument  of  public 
interest  and  utility. 

Sec.  6.  Be  it  farther  ordained^  That  all  rev- 
enues received  from  the  Fisk  Free  and  Public 
Library  bequest  and  all  moneys  received  from 
rental  of  offices,  etc.,  in  the  said  library 
building  shall  be  set  aside  as  a separate  fund 
by  the  Comptroller  and  shall  be  used  for  the 
conducting  of  said  library,  as  well  as  all  other 
funds  appropriated  by  the  city  of  Xew  Orleans 
for  library  purposes. 

SEC.  7.  Beit  farther  ordained^  That  Ordinance 
IN'o.  7539,  Administration  Series,  transferring 
to  the  Administrators  of  the  University  of 
Louisiana  the  Fisk  Free  and  Public  Library 
and  the  property  and  funds  attached  thereto, 
and  all  other  ordinances  on  the  subject  of 
public  libraries,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby 
repealed. 

Adopted  by  the  Council  of  the  city  of  ISTew 
Orleans,  April  14,  1896. 

Dan  a.  Rose, 

Clerk  of  Council. 

Approved  April  14,  1896. 

John  Fitzpatrick, 
Mayor. 

A true  copy : 

Clark  Steen, 

Secretary  to  the  Mayor. 

April  21,  1895. 

Official  Proceedings.  May  or’’ s Message. 

I beg  to  submit  in  accordance  with  provi- 
sions of  Ordinance  Xo.  12,217,  C.  S.,  1 have 


— 11  — 


UBRAR?  - 
UNIVERSnY  or  IIUIKMI 


appointed  the  following  gentlemen  a Board  of 
Directors  of  the  Fisk  Free  and  Public  Library, 
viz. : Messrs.  Frank  T.  Howard,  Albert  Bald- 
win, Jr.,  P.  A.  Belong,  Fred.  G.  Ernst,  E.  B. 
Kruttschnitt,  Geo.  W.  Flynn  and  Sidney  H. 
March,  and  request  your  approval  of  same. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Louque  the  action  of  the 
Mayor  was  approved. 


Mayoralty  of  IS^ew  Orleans.  \ 
City  Hall,  September  30,  896.  j 

Ab.  12,706.  Council  Series, 

An  Ordinance  by  Committee  Ao.  2,  amending 
and  re-enacting  Sec.  6 of  Ordinance  Ao. 
12,217,  C.  S.,  an  ordinance  creating  and 
establishing  a public  library  in  the  city 
of  Aew  Orleans,  and  providing  for  the 
management  of  same. 

Be  it  ordained  by  the  City  Council  of  the  city 
of  New  Orleans,  That  Sec.  6 of  Ordinance  No. 
12,217,  C.  S.,  be  and  the  same  is  hereby 
amended  as  follows : 

Sec.  6. — Be  it  further  ordained,  That  all 
revenues  received  and  to  be  received  from 
the  Fisk  Free  and  Public  Library  bequest, 
from  the  rental  of  offices  or  rooms  in  the 
library  building  and  from  the  sale  of  priv- 
leges  within  the  library,  and  all  funds 
now  to  the  credit  of  the  New  Fisk  Li- 
brary or  of  the  furnishing  of  the  said  library, 
as  well  as  all  sum  or  sums  of  money  now  or 
hereafter  to  be  appropriated  by  the  city,  or 
accruing  from  any  bequests  or  legacies  made 
to  said  city  for  library  purposes,  be  and  the 
same  are  hereby  put  under  the  control  of  said 


— 12  — 


board  of  directors.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
Comptroller  to  place  said  revenues,  funds  and 
sums  of  money  so  received,  bequeathed  or  ap- 
propriated to  the  credit  of  said  board,  and  to 
warrant  for  the  same  on  the  Treasurer  in  favor 
of  said  board  on  the  orders  or  requisitions 
signed  by  its  president. 

The  said  board  shall  expend  said  revenues, 
funds  and  sums  .of  money  for  the  maintenance 
and  administration  of  said  library.  In  further- 
ance of  the  authority  herein  delegated  to  said 
board,  it  shall  have  full  power  to  engage  all 
the  employees  of  the  library,  to  fix  their  com- 
pensation, and  to  discharge  them  at  will. 

It  shall  make  semi-annual  reports  to  the 
city  of  its  receipts  and  expenditures,  and  of  the 
library. 

Be  it  farther  ordained^  That  Ordinance 
12,217,  C.  S.,  as  amended  above,  be  and  the 
same  is  hereby  re-enacted. 

Adopted  by  the  Council  of  the  city  of  IN'ew 
Orleans,  September  29,  1896. 

T.  W.  Campbell, 
Assistant  Clerk  of  Council. 

Approved  September  30,  1896. 

W.  C.  Flower, 

Mayor. 

A true  copy : 

T.  H.  Thorpe, 

Secretary  to  the  Mayor. 


— 13  — 


BY-LAWS. 


Article  1.  Regular  meetings  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  shall  be  held  on  the  second  Mon- 
day of  every  month,  at  7:30  f.  m.,  and  at  all 
meetings  a majority  of  the  board  shall  consti- 
tute a quorum. 

The  order  of  business  shall  be  as  follows : 

1.  Reading  the  records  of  the  previous  meet- 
ing. 

2.  Reports  of  officers. 

3.  Reports  from  standing  committees. 

4.  Reports  from  special  committees. 

5.  Communications. 

6.  Untinished  business. 

7.  Yew  business. 

Special  meetings  shall  be  called  by  the  Sec- 
retary, upon  the  written  request  of  the  Presi- 
dent or  any  two  directors,  and  a notice  thereof 
of  not  less  than  two  days  shall  be  given  to 
each  director,  in  which  shall  be  stated  the 
object  of  the  meeting,  and  no  business  shall  be 
transacted  at  such  meeting  except  such  as  is 
stated  in  the  notice. 

Art.  2.  The  officers  of  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tors shall  consist  of  a Chairman  ex  officio  (the 
Mayor  of  the  city  Y e w Orleans) , a President, 
Vice  President  and  a Secretary-Treasurer.  All 
officers,  except  the  Chairman  ex  officio^  shall  be 
elected  for  the  term  of  one  year,  and  shall  hold 
their  offices  until  their  successors  shall  have 
been  elected  and  qualified.  They  shall  be 


— 14  — 


elected  at  the  regular  monthly  meeting  in  Feb- 
ruary of  each  year. 

Art.  3.  There  shall  be  five  standing  com- 
mittees, to  be  appointed  by  the  President, 
namely : 

1.  Committee  on  Books  and  Periodicals. 

2.  Committee  on  Administration. 

3.  Committee  on  Finance. 

4.  Committee  on  Rules  and  By-Laws. 

5.  Committee  on  Circulating  Delivery  Sta- 
tions. 

Each  committee  to  consist  of  three  members. 

Art.  4.  The  President  shall  be  ex  officio  a 
member  of  each  of  the  committees,  without 
power  to  vote.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  preside 
at  all  meetings  of  the  board;  to  sign  all 
vouchers  approved  by  the  board,  upon  w^hich 
drafts  shall  have  been  drawn  by  the  Secretary - 
Treasurer  on  the  funds  of  the  board;  to  ap- 
point the  standing  committees  for  the  year;  to 
prepare  for  the  consideration  of  the  board 
such  special  recommendations  as  he  may  see 
fit  for  the  advancement  and  welfare  of  the 
library. 

Art.  5.  In  the  absence  or  inability  of  the 
President,  all  the  duties  of  that  officer  shall  be 
performed  by  the  Vice  President. 

Art.  6.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary- 
Treasurer  to  keep  a neat,  exact  and  permanent 
record  of  the  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Direc- 
tors. He  shall  also  keep,  when  required  to  do 
so,  minutes  of  the  transactions  of  the  commit- 
tees of  the  board.  The  Secretary-Treasurer 
shall  also,  under  the  supervision  of  the  Finance 
Committee,  be  the  financial  officer  of  the 


Library  Commission,  and  keep  its  accounts  and 
receive  and  deposit  and  account  for  all  moneys 
which  may  come  into  or  accrue  to  the  com- 
mission from  bequests,  legacies,  donations, 
fines  or  from  any  other  source  whatever.  He 
shall  also  make  to  the  board,  at  its  meeting  in 
each  month,  a statement  of  all  moneys  received 
and  disbursed  by  him  in  the  preceding  month, 
and  once  each  quarter  he  shall  report  the  con- 
dition of  the  treasury,  appending  thereto  a cer- 
tificate as  to  the  correctness  of  all  his  books 
for  said  quarter.  And  he  shall  perform  such 
other  duties  as  the  Board  of  Commissioners 
may  direct,  and  give  such  security  as  the  board 
may  order. 

Art.  7.  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  at  their 
first  meeting,  after  the  adoption  of  these  By- 
Laws,  elect  a Librarian,  an  Assistant  Librarian 
and  such  other  assistants  as  they  may  deter- 
mine as  necessary  for  the  proper  running  of 
the  library,  and  the  officers  so  elected  shall 
hold  their  offices  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
board.  The  Chief  Librarian  shall,  under  the 
control  of  the  board,  have  charge  of  the  rooms 
and  working  force  of  the  library,  and  shall  be 
responsible  for  the  care  and  safety  of  the 
books  and  other  puDlic  property  contained 
therein,  and  for  the  preservation  of  order  in 
the  rooms.  He  shall  prepare  for  the  use  of  the 
Committee  on  Books  and  Periodicals  lists  of 
books  to  be  purchased;  and  shall  have  execu- 
tive superintendence  of  all  matters  subject  to 
the  supervision  and  approval  of  the  several 
standing  committees.  He  shall  report  to  the 
Committee  on  Books  and  Periodicals,  at  the 


— 16  — 


monthly  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
upon  the  condition  and  circulation  of  the 
books  for  the  preceding  month,  and  shall  also 
make  a semi-annual  report  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  at  its  regular  monthly  meeting  in  the 
months  of  March  and  October,  each  year. 

In  the  absence  of  the  Chief  Librarian,  through 
sickness  or  any  other  cause,  the  duties  of  the 
Librarian  shall  devolve  upon  the  First  Assist- 
ant Librarian. 

Art.  8.  The  Committee  on  Books  and 
Periodicals  shall  have  control  and  super- 
vision in  all  matters  relating  to  the  selection, 
purchase,  exchange  and  binding  of  books  and 
periodicals,  the  sale  and  exchange  of  dupli- 
cates, and  of  old  magazines  and  papers  not 
kept  for  tiling  and  binding;  the  arrangement, 
printing,  sale  and  disposition  of  catalogues 
and  of  the  statistics  of  circulation;  and  in  all 
matters  relating  to  the  stamps,  plates,  labels 
and  printed  forms  in  use  in  the  library.  It 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  committee  to  report 
upon  the  condition  of  the  books  to  the  Board 
of  Directors  at  its  regular  monthly  meetings. 
It  shall  be  their  duty  to  report  upon  the  gen- 
eral progress  of  the  library,  and  to  examine, 
from  time  to  time,  the  books  and  periodicals 
in  the  room.  I^o  purchase  of  books  or  period- 
icals shall  be  made  except  by  the  authority  of 
the  Board  of  Directors.  As  to  the  matters 
under  their  supervision  they  shall  report  an- 
nually to  the  Board  of  Directors  at  the  regular 
meeting  in  the  month  of  February,  each  year. 

Art.  9.  The  Committee  on  Administration 
shall  have  supervision  in  the  following : In 


— 17  — 


matters  relating  to  the  appointment  and  con- 
trol and  remuneration  of  the  employees  of  the 
library;  to  the  arrangements  for  the  circula- 
tion of  books  and  periodicals,  and  for  the 
needful  examination  of  the  library.  They 
shall  have  full  control  of  the  buildings  and 
property  belonging  to  the  library;  to  the  col- 
lection of  rents,  and  the  making  of  all  neces- 
sary repairs;  to  the  providing; of  all  supplies, 
and  they  shall  exercise  a general  supervision 
over  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of 
the  library.  They  shall  make  the  rules  and 
regulations  governing  the  Library  Staff,  the 
hours  for  meals,  the  hours  for  opening  and 
closing  the  library,  the  rules  governing  the 
readers  and  all  other  rules  necessary  for  run- 
ning the  library.  As  to  all  matters  under 
their  su]3er vision  they  shall  report  annually  at 
the  regular  meeting  in  February  each  year. 

Art.  10.  The  Finance  Committee  shall  exer- 
cise a general  supervision  of  the  finances  of 
the  board;  shall  direct  the  form  and  manner 
in  which  the  Secretary-Treasurer  shall  keep 
the  accounts  and  books;  shall  pass  upon  all 
bills  and  shall  attach  to  same  their  written 
approval,  through  its  chairman,  and  shall  de- 
cide upon  the  best  manner  of  caring  for,  in- 
vesting and  disbursing  of  all  moneys  received 
by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  from  any 
source  whatever.  They  shall  examine  the 
books  of  the  Secretary-Treasurer  and  attach 
their  approval  or  disapproval  to  all  his  reports 
or  accounts. 

Art.  11 . The  Committee  on  Eules  and  By- 
Laws  shall  consider  and  report  upon  all  prop- 


— 18  — 


ositions  for  the  amendment,  repeal  and  revision 
of  any  of  the  by-laws  of  the  library,  and 
upon  all  legal  questions  arising  in  the  board. 

Art.  12.  The  Committee  on  Delivery  Sta- 
tions shall  have  the  general  charge  and  care  of 
the  delivery  stations  established  by  the  board 
and  of  all  matters  under  their  supervision. 
They  shall  report  annually  to  the  board  at  the 
regular  meeting  in  the  month  of  February. 

Art.  13.  At  any  meeting  the  ayes  and  nays 
shall  be  called  upon  on  any  question  before  the 
board,  at  the  request  of  one  member. 

Art.  14.  All  proposed  expenditures  of 
money,  except  current  and  incidental  expendi- 
tures, shall,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  the 
board,  be  referred  to  the  proper  committee  for 
consideration  and  report  thereon,  and  no 
appropriation  shall  be  made,  or  indebtedness 
incurred,  to  an  amount  exceeding  one  hundred 
dollars,  without  the  concurring  votes  of  a 
majority  of  the  board. 

Art.  15.  The  employment,  compensation 
and  discharge  of  all  employees  of  the  Libraiy 
Board  shall  be  considered  only  in  executive 
session. 

Art.  17.  The  employees  of  the  library  shall 
be  subject  to  suspension  at  any  time  by  the 
Administration  Committee,  or  by  the  Chief 
Librarian,  or  the  First  Assistant,  when  acting 
as  Chief  Librarian,  for  absence  without  leave, 
want  of  attention  to  business,  unreasonable 
waste  of  time,  want  of  courtesy  toward  the 
public,  or  improper  behavior  generally.  When 
a suspension  shall  have  been  ordered  by  the 
Committee,  or  Librarian  or  Assistant  Libra- 


— 19  — 


rian,  as  aforesaid,  such  suspension,  with  the 
reasons  therefor,  shall  he  reported  to  the 
Board  of  Directors  at  its  next  regular  monthly 
meeting  for  its  approval  or  disapproval;  pro- 
vided the  report  of  such  suspension,  with  the 
reasons  therefor,  be  made  to  the  Board  of 
Directors  by  the  Committee  on  Administra- 
tion. When  the  suspension  is  made  by  the 
Librarian  or  Assistant,  as  hereinbefore  pro- 
vided, the  fact  and  reasons  therefor  shall  he 
made  direct  to  the  Committee  on  Administra- 
tion. 

Employees  absent  from  duty  shall  forfeit 
their  pay  during  the  time  of  their  absence, 
unless  excused  by  the  Librarian,  who  may,  at 
his  discretion,  grant  leave  of  absence  for  not 
more  than  one  day  in  each  month. 

Art.  18.  These  by-laws  may  be  altered, 
amended  or  repealed  by  a majority  of  the 
directors,  but  no  such  action  shall  be  taken 
except  at  a regular  meeting,  subsequent  to  the 
regular  meeting  at  which  such  action  was 
proposed. 


— 20  — 


